Chapter 2: Lesson 1

The Interpretive Dynamics of Society

Genelou L. Sayangco
Godwin John De los Angeles
What makes society
possible?
 Society as a Concept
o It is tool to grasp the complexity of the
phenomenon it represents and a means to explore
its many other dimensions hidden by its normative
use.

o It represents an ideal type, which more or less

depicts the form, Society as a Concept
 Society as a Facility

o Society is formally defined as constituting a fairly

large number of people who are living in the same
territory, are relatively independent of people
outside their area, and participate in common
culture.
 Society as a Facility
o Society is seen as an outcome of multiple
interactions of people upon which succeeding
interactions are made meaningful and possible.

Omnipotence Omniscience Omnipresent

(All-Powerful) (All-Knowing) (Everywhere)

Society
 o The quality of having
Omnipotence
(All-Powerful) unlimited or very
great power
Its library creates, collects, stores,
In the God metaphor retrieves, and manipulates human
“Society as God” memories.

In the language of Symbols system, language rules, and

use of language for communication.
Sociology
“Society as a Fact”
Examples in Social Language, symbols, arts, science
Science Concepts
 Omniscience
o The state of knowing
(All-Knowing) everything.

Its agents occupy and control all the

In the God metaphor influential positions in its domain.
“Society as God”
In the language of Machineries and armory of social
control.
Sociology
“Society as a Fact”
Examples in Social Laws, norms, values, belief, system,
religion, education.
Science Concepts
 o The state of being
Omnipresent
(Everywhere)
widespread or constantly
encountered.
Its spies are present in the four
In the God metaphor corners of its territory.
“Society as God”
In the language of Socialization agents are present
everywhere, even at the very start of
Sociology a person’s life.
“Society as a Fact”
Examples in Social Family, peers, school, church,
government.
Science Concepts
 Sociological Awareness
o It allows us to see opportunities where there are
none and to create one if need be.

o Being socially aware means that you understand

how you react to different social situations, and
effectively modify your interactions with other
people so that you can achieve the best result.
 What makes Society Possible?
The Three Theoretical Perspectives
1
o the society is seen as a
complex system whose
parts function and work in
harmony, bringing
stability in the process
(Parts of the society:
family, school, economy,
Structural
or state)
Functionism
 What makes Society Possible?
The Three Theoretical Perspectives

Social Dysfunction
Undesirable effects of a social pattern on the
operation of society, may result but society has
the ability to adjust.
 What makes Society Possible?
The Three Theoretical Perspectives
2
o Focuses on: forces in
society that promote
competition and change
o it is based on the
assumption that society is
an arena of inequality and
division resulting to
conflict.
The Conflict Theory
 What makes Society Possible?
The Three Theoretical Perspectives
o Focuses on: how individuals 3
interact
o it focuses on how people
make sense of the world, on
how they experience and
define what they and others
are doing, and on how they
influence and are Symbolic
influenced by others. Interactionsim
Rules: Invisible Hand of Society
o Are essential in the
everyday conduct of the
member of the society .
o it becomes the arbiter of
disagreements and
people’s respect for rules
gives them this organizing
power over human actions
over time.
Rules: Invisible Hand of Society
Written Rules
Are easily seen and hence are
easily observed and obeyed.

Stop at Red Light

 Rules: Invisible Hand of Society
Unwritten Rules
These are rules that aren’t
necessarily laws but we follow
them on a day to day basis

Replying “K”
Don’t stop in the
middle of a busy
sidewalk.
Culture as
Concept
 Culture as Concept
o Culture is that complex
whole includes
knowledge, belief, art,
morals, law, custom, and
any other capabilities
and habits acquired by
man as a member of
society.
Edward B. Taylor
 Culture as Concept

o Culture is the way of life

especially the general
customs and beliefs, of a
particular group of
people at a particular
time
Cambridge English
Dictionary
 Culture as Concept
o refers to the
mass-
produced and
mass –
mediated forms
of consumer
culture that
emerged in the
20th Century. Mass Culture
Culture and
Society
 Culture and Society
o One does not or
cannot exist
without the others
“There can be no
culture without a
society and there are
no known human
societies that do not
exhibit culture.”